Marijuana usage for post operative pain relief after full tummy tuck?

Question

I am going for a full tummy tuck, muscle repair for a diastatis recti in March. I'm in Colorado where it's legal. I have never tried marijuana but I have heard good things about it regarding medicinal purposes. Would it be appropriate to utilize vaporized or oral marijuana post surgery for pain control? I don't know if its been studied in plastic surgery patients since the legalization of it is rather new. I figured this might be an intriguing question as I cannot find any information on it.

Larry C. Leverett, MD, FACS · Answer

The best relieve for post op discomfort after abdominoplasty, in my hands, has been Exparel injected at the time of surgery.

Christine Rodgers, MD · Answer

HI ladynoir,This question really needs to be discussed with your plastic surgeon. Oral ingestion of THC affects people in different ways and cannot always be quantified as to its pain relief, especially if you have never had cannabis before. What are the effects if you combine with with muscle relaxants as well? Sometimes a muscle relaxant will help a lot when the tummy  muscles are tightened, but I would be hesitant to combine them with THC. I vote no, but perhaps your surgeon has a different experience and more knowledge on this than I do.Best,Dr. Christine Rodgers

Vishnu Rumalla, MD · Answer

Thanks for your inquiry, only your plastic surgeon can answer this question and he/she really needs to advise you.  Surgery is a collaborative effort of surgeon and patient.  I wish you the best and a speedy recovery.

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

The pain can be adequately controlled with well studied and FDA approved prescription medications after tummy tuck.  There is no need to use alternative substances.

Robert S. Houser, DO · Answer

No one has studied it yet, but I think it really has potential. THC can control the pain without causing nausea or constipation, the two most common side effects of narcotic pain medication. Certainly, discuss it with your surgeon. I would think that an edible would be better -- vaping is not as safe as it sounds. It could also make you cough which is a bad idea with a tummy tuck! Medical marijuana was recently approved in Ohio and I hope to do a study soon. Good luck!!

Marijuana usage for post operative pain relief after full tummy tuck?

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